The pilot reported, prior to starting the Aeronca 7AC’s engine in preparation for flight, he verified the throttle position and chocked the right main landing gear by using his foot. After he started the engine via hand turning the propeller, the engine immediately went to a high rpm. He attempted to hang onto the airplane to regain […]
Instructional flight ends in accident
The student pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice takeoffs and landings in the Taylorcraft BC12-D. The flight instructor occupied the right seat, and the student occupied the left seat, which was the only position from which the brakes could be controlled. The flight was the sixth instructional flight for the […]
Nervous passenger contributes to crash
The pilot stated that just after takeoff, the RANS S6S entered “uncoordinated flight to the left.” He applied right rudder to correct, but felt that the rudder was ineffective. After clearing trees at the end of the runway in New Berlin, Pa., he elected to conduct a precautionary landing in a field. He stated that the […]
Water testing leads to takeoff
The non-certificated pilot reported he was testing the amphibious Avid’s engine and cooling system while maneuvering the airplane on a lake near Waterville, Minn. He added that he had “no intent to fly.” He completed a number of passes across the lake. Before the last pass, he input full flaps, which resulted in the airplane inadvertently becoming […]
Banner tow flight ends fatally
The banner tow airplane departed, circled, and returned to the airport in Gansevoort, N.Y., for the banner pickup. The operator said he was using a handheld radio and was prepared to provide flightpath adjustments to the pilot for the banner pickup, but the approach was “perfect” and the pickup was successful. He announced over the radio that […]
LSA stalls after exceeding angle of attack
Witnesses reported seeing the private pilot begin the takeoff from the airport in Gasport, N.Y., in the Flight Design CT-SW light-sport airplane. During the rotation, the LSA appeared to pitch up higher than normal, followed by up-and-down pitch oscillations and left bank oscillations. It climbed no higher than about 75 feet. The LSA began a slow left bank, which was not […]
Mosquito spraying mission ends abruptly
The pilot was performing mosquito control spraying operations at 100 feet above ground level (agl) in Mobile, Alabama, when the rear engine of the Cessna 336 began to sputter and lose power. He switched to the auxiliary fuel tank, however this did not remedy the situation. He then climbed to 500 feet agl and continued to […]
Misrigged control cables lead to fatal accident
The accident happened during the Piper PA-12’s first flight in Anchorage, Alaska, after undergoing maintenance and modification over the course of several years. A witness reported that, during the takeoff, the plane climbed steeply in an extreme, nose-high attitude until it “pivoted” at the apex of the climb and then entered a descent straight to the ground. The […]
Bad preflight brings down Beech
The pilot reported that, while conducting a preflight inspection on the Beech C24R, he looked inside the wing fuel tanks and estimated that there was about 27 gallons of fuel. He then departed on a local flight to test the avionics and autopilot system. While returning to the airport after an approximate one-hour flight, the […]